Jericho Beach, Vancouver

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The most famous beaches in Vancouver are probably English Bay Beach and Kitsilano Beach. These beaches are also the most crowded beaches. But if you want some more sandy beaches and a bit less crowdy then you have to head out to Jericho Beach, Locarno Beach and Spanish Banks. These 3 beaches look more like one big stretch of beach starting from Jericho Beach to the end of Point Grey closer to UBC (University of British Columbia).

On Jericho Beach there is the Jericho Sailing Centre where many people windsurf, kayak, and sail. There is a restaurant here as well and a park. It is surrounded by Jericho Beach Park which is a large grassy area with a pond, which is a good picnic destination. Locarno Beach is the next beach (although hard to know where it exactly starts), a great beach for sunbathing, relaxing, walking and such. Spanish Banks is a long stretch of beach on Point Grey and at the end of it you follow a trail to some smaller more private beaches...and from that point on clothing is optional as this trail leads to Wreck Beach, Vancouver's nude beach. It is home to many beach volleyball leagues and neighbours Locarno Beach and Jericho Beach.

There is free parking along all these beaches except near Jericho Beach you find pay parking. Be sure to come early enough though on beautiful summer days or sunny weekends from late spring to early fall. These beaches are beautiful any time of the year as the climate is fairly mild in Vancouver. In the summer time you will also find some concession stands along the beach selling food, ice cream drinks and such. There are several bathroom buildings with toilets and showers along these beaches. Most beaches allow BBQ's, there are several picnic areas and these beaches are lifeguarded from Victoria Day (late May) to Labour Day (early September). Sometimes the tide is so low that you can almost walk across to West Vancouver. At Spanish Banks there is also an off leash dog beach for well behaved dogs.

There is also a paved path which goes along all the beaches with wonderful views and great for families with small children that have strollers or little bikes.

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Jericho beach is one of many gorgeous beaches that locals flock to when the weather is right. If you've got some time, round up some hot dogs, buns, condiments, and a Hibachi and you're ready for a beach BBQ! Get your friends to bring their frisbees and footballs, you're going to need them if you're not too busy soaking up some rays on the sand.

One word of warning: The beach is public, so there is no alcohol allowed. You can get around this if you want by keeping your liquor out of sight in a cooler and drinking from plastic cups. Just be considerate to the families that you will be sharing your space with.

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If you are into getting out on the Ocean for a day of quiet paddling in the harbour, then renting a kayak or canoe should be what you are searching for.
Down at Jericho Sailing Centre and another location at Granville Island, you can rent these boats and take your time exploring.

You can take a guided day tour or go off on your own, it will cost you about $89 for 4 hours, and back at Granville Island, it will cost you $49 for 2 hours.
Another location is down at English Bay.

Jericho beach is one of my favourites as there's a grassy bank which is great for picnics and snoozing. It's not as busy as Kits beach or english bay which is an excellent reason to come. As you can imagine the views of the downtown area and
West Vancouver. Once again those pesky unleashed dogs are a pet hate of mine (no pun intended).

This spot is great for admiring the mountains or the bay or the downtown peninsula. There's plenty of room for everyone. Concessions and washrooms are dotted regularly along the beach and open most of the year, so it doesn't really matter where you park. There are a lot of dog walkers, runners and cyclists on the paths. There are also volleyball nets for the energetic and barbecue pits for the hungry. And of course miles of sand... The sand is a little sludgy when the tide goes out but it's still great to cool off on a hot day!

Jericho beach is a lovely place to stay. The hostel here is very nice and is situated only 1 minute from the beach. The beach itself is great and it has lovely walks. Its about a 40 minute walk from the city but is only about 10 minutes by bus. I would recommend backpackers to stay at this hostel. Free movies at night if you don't want to go out. Great place

There are many beaches around Vancouver, you are spoilt for choice. Jericho beach is a large and long sandy beach with views of the mountains and downtown. It's a great place for families and to have a barbecue or picnic. When we were there we saw a lot of people jogging along the paths along the beach.You get great views of the city from Jericho beach.

If you are visiting Vancouver you have to visit the local beaches in the summer. That's where the locals hang out. We have a few beaches, Kits being a popular one. Jericho, Locarno, Spanish Banks are being a little farther down Point Grey. Jericho Beach is very close to a hostel.

If you are near UBC, this is fantastic place for a BBQ or just a quite moment...I used to jog down here each morning...for a while...and there is nothing like watching the sunset from here...the view is spectacular...and it is often quiet and not as crowded as the downtown beaches...